Sunday, July 12, 2009

On this date

54 years ago
Patricia Ann Custer went to Richmond, Indiana with Abraham Wesley Lincoln, along with Abe's best friend, he had the car and Abe's Mother. We were married by a Justice of the Peace. At that time a girl could be 18, and I was, going on 19 in Oct., the boy had to be 21, Abe was still 20, so his Mother had to sign for him. He turned 21 in Oct. We got our blood test, picked out gold bands from a jewelry store, got married and since it was getting so late in the day, the courthouse would be closed before all the paper work was finished. So one of the workers at the courthouse, gave us her home address and said to drop around and pick it up from her. So we did.

Went back to Ohio and told my parents we were married. We didn't even have a car. But a bus use to run from Arcanum to Greenville and back when making there trips into and from Dayton, Ohio. His best friend drove us to Greenville, Ohio to a hotel that was called the James Hotel, it was at the circle. One room with a sink, the tub and toilet were at the end of the hall. It has long been gone, torn down to improve the circle. The next day we went to a different hotel, got a lot nicer room, then took a taxi over to visit with Abe's Mother. She had two small children from her second marriage, they were five and three. I think her husband drove us back to the hotel. But when we got back and went to pick up our key, they told us they had to move us to a different room. This was a really large room, the bathroom was almost as big as the bedroom, and it also had a large fan. Something the other hotel didn't have. We stayed there a couple of nights then found a two room furnished apartment in Greenville. Since our marriage made the front page of the Greenville Advocate, we assume that's why the hotel employees gave us a different room at no extra cost to us.

Abe was suppose to go back to Japan at the end of July, first part of Aug. But he wired his Captain and was able to get a 30 day extension on his leave. So he didn't have to fly back until Labor day. By that time, we also had purchased an old 1950 Buick which we paid cash for. We drove that Buick until 1957 when we got a new Cheve. We even drove it to Baltimore, Md where Abe had to finish up his Army hitch. We left Ohio with a two week old daughter.

We have no photos of that run away marriage, LOL, people didn't carry cameras around like they do now a days. But this is an old photo I found taken during that time period.

Photobucket


P.S. I forgot to mention Abe and I just happened to run into one another on a Saturday evening, at my Aunt's restaurant called Smitty's in Arcanum. We hadn't seen each other in several years. That was on March 19th.,1955. He asked me to a movie the next night the 20th of March, we went to see the movie called Battle Cry. I think we saw each other almost every day or evening until April 1, when he picked me up for lunch, from school, and he gave me a diamond engagement ring. He had to leave on April 10th, Easter Sunday. How's that for a fast courtship. LOL

28 comments:

Anonymous said...

I love you Patty. Always will.

Rachel Cotterill said...

Congratulations :)

Anonymous said...

:)

Kavita Saharia said...

PATTY and ABE....WISHING YOU A VERY VERY HAPPY MARRIAGE ANNIVERSARY.

KGMom said...

Patty (and Abe)--I am new here, stopping by after reading Abe's comment on Jayne's (Journey through Grace) page.
CONGRATS--happy 54th.
I love your running away to get married story. And the old time pic--how sweet.
May God grant you more happy anniversaries.

henny said...

I arrived here from Abe's blog. Just wanted to wish you Happy 54th Anniversary. Reading your story, it's so touching. All the best. Henny.

Tom said...

I read this with a small tear of happiness in my eye Patty... I hope you have a great day today and have many more happy years in front of you both.
If I get nothing more from blogging I know that I made great friends with you and Abe. You are both very well thought of in this little spot of England

Tom and Jane xx

yvelinoise said...

Wonderful ! I want the same score !
and I wish you many more years of happiness.

Tess Kincaid said...

Sweet memories, and pic, too! Congratulations! Hope you and Abe enjoy the day.

I had fun browsing the pictures on your sidebars.

dyanna said...

Congratulations.Nice photo.

Twisted Fencepost said...

Sweet story.
I love Abe's comment for you. That's sweet too!
You are both lucky to have found your soul mates first time around.
Congratulations!

DeniseinVA said...

That is such a sweet story. I loved reading this and Abe's "I love you Patty. Always will." at the top of the page. You are both beautiful people and I wish you A Very, Very Happy Anniversary.

Dina said...

Oh Patty, this is so sweet, your story. It renews my faith in the institution of marriage.
Congratulations for all these years.

Kay said...

I've just hopped over from Abe's blog to wish you a very happy anniversary, Patty. I really enjoyed reading about your courtship. That Abe is sure a fast worker but then again, he just knows a terrific thing when he sees it. Your marriage made the front page? Wow!

Anonymous said...

Happy anniversary!

Paz

Marian Dean said...

... and I expect some were saying 'It won't last'.
What a lovely story Patty, Happy Anniversary to you both.
Love Granny

Winifred said...

What a lovely story and a lovely picture. Much nicer than the staged wedding ones. Happy anniversary to you both and lots more to come.

My goodness running away. You were brave. What did your parents say when you got back?

Have to sat I didn't meet the man I married until I was older so the problem didn't arise. Luckily! I wouldn't have dared run away, my dad would have killed me! I'm such a wimp!

Brenda said...

Congratulations Patty and Abe! Your courtship may have been short but your marriage a nice long one! My husband and I also had a very short courtship and have been married for 32 years.

Renie Burghardt said...

Oh, my, what a sweet story of young love, new begginings, and building a life together. And 54 years later, there you two are, still together, and still in love. Who could ask for more?

Happy Anniversary Patty and Abe! May you be blessed with many more happy years together!

Love and Anniversary Hugs,

Renie

Charles said...

Enjoyed reading "your" side of the story. I also remember something about a "surprised" color of purple. My 'congratulations' to you both!!!

Anonymous said...

Happy anniversary!

Paz

Gigi Ann said...

Happy Anniversary! And may you have many more.

Shionge said...

Happy 54th Anniversary to both of you and I have so much to learn from you both :D

Ham said...

Wonderful story, thanks, best wishes to you both.

Priyanka Khot said...

Awwweee!!!

I had loved reading Abe's version of the events last year and I loved reading your brief about the courtship.

I am a fan of such love stories... and he was the first one to post a comment on this one.. awwweee....


God Bless you both and may we get to read the love story for many more years to come.

Margaret Cloud said...

Congratulations on your anniversary. What a wonderful story, you have a great memory. We celebrate our 50th on July 30th. That sure was nice of that hotel to give you a better room, people seemed to be kinder back then and thoughtful. Have a nice week, take care friend and be safe.

nanny said...

You two are so sweet and I love to read the kind words you write. Congratulations on many years of wedded bliss and many, many more to follow.

Merle said...

Dear Patty ~~ i so enjoyed the story of how you and Abe met and the courtship and marriage. Wonderful. Thank you for sharing that and a belated Happy Anniversary to you both

Thank you for your comments and I am glad you enjoyed the jokes.
I reckon if they had a good water pressure a hose could be used to water that garden, easier than using a ladder. Glad your weather has been nice. It is OK here.
Enjoy the rest of the week. I will say a prayer for your s-i-l, Marilyn and I am so sorry she is so ill. Take care, my friend.
Love. Merle.